Coastal homeowners in Dana Point are grappling with the reality of their properties succumbing to high surf and relentless tides. The City of Dana Point reported on Monday morning that seven homes in the Capistrano Bay District are now red-tagged, indicating severe damage and imminent danger. Another 13 homes have been yellow-tagged, signaling significant damage but still allowing restricted access. Two homes have already been demolished, and an additional one is scheduled for demolition.
Some homes are visibly on the verge of collapsing into the sea, particularly in one of the hardest-hit coastal neighborhoods where sidewalks were seen buckling and falling into the water. These conditions were exacerbated by high tides from the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel.
This isn't the first time residents have faced such threats. The area was still recovering from a storm last month, which had previously led officials to red-tag eight homes, with two of those also eventually demolished. Homeowners in the Capistrano Bay District are now anxiously watching the ongoing swells, fearing their properties could be the next to go.
Lauri Torres, a resident of Capistrano Beach, recounted her own experience, noting her deck began caving in on the 9th. She observed her neighbors' deck detach entirely, and then, in short order, their house fell. Torres highlighted the vulnerability of these properties, explaining that many homes in the area are built directly on sand, with their slabs laid straight onto it. This construction means the water erodes the sand so quickly that a house can collapse overnight.
For many, these homes carry significant historic and emotional value, having been passed down through generations. Torres mentioned one neighbor whose grandmother built a home in the 1950s, only for it to now be lost to the ocean.
The storm's impact isn't confined to Dana Point. Further north, Laguna Beach activated its emergency operations center in response to the conditions. In Newport Beach, cautionary measures led to the closure of The Wedge surf spot and city piers.
Along the Newport Beach peninsula, crews have been working around the clock to construct massive sand berms. These substantial barriers, which in some areas stand as tall as the Balboa Pier, were put in place to prevent the extensive coastal flooding experienced last Friday. On Monday morning, despite powerful surf and large waves crashing ashore during high tide, the water appeared to remain contained behind these newly reinforced barriers.
City crews and contractors have been diligently reinforcing the coastline, utilizing several excavators and bulldozers. With homes and businesses situated just beyond the beach, the city's focus has been on protecting the community from additional flooding. Many long-time residents of the area have commented that they've never seen the beach in such a state. The high tide and storm surge also drew numerous onlookers to the pier.
Dustin Hopkins, a Newport Beach resident, expressed his amazement at the rapid construction, saying he had not seen such defenses just a week prior. Jim Redmond, a contractor visiting from Utah, also noted the sheer volume of work involved, remarking on the significant amount of sand being moved by the crews.
